Got the chance to spend some quailty time with the different biologists at the White Marlin Open. I've been really curious about this whole issue and how to tell the two apart. On day 1 we actually had a pair that were sitting next to each other so you can get some good pointers if you were wondering about the difference.
The big one that seemed to be almost fool-proof was the distance between the anal fin and vent. check out this pic, the distances are pretty apparent
Always swimming against the tide
also, here's a shot of the sails side by side to show the difference there. This is probably old news for many, but I figured there would be some that will find it useful.
Always swimming against the tide
Cool stuff Bryan.
Thanks for taking the time to show us.
A jerk on one end of the line waiting for a jerk on the other end
Good stuff, I think the best way to tell the difference is anal vent location.D you have any other pictures?
Last edited by alex n; 08-14-2008 at 07:58 AM.
Ok, so there's a difference, but which is which. You didn't state that for those who aren't "In The Know"
tunatamer4
Make something idiot proof and they build a better idiot.
I've checked out I think 15 fish in two weeks so far and that's the only thing that seems to be a really good indicator. I've seen the difference in scales, the difference in fins and throat latch but nothing seems to be as definitive as the anal vent/fin distance.Originally Posted by alex n
I'm no expert by any means, I've just gotten to be in the right place to see it for myself and ask questions to those in the Know...
Great point... if it weren't for these tournaments I'd be clueless too...Ok, so there's a difference, but which is which. You didn't state that for those who aren't "In The Know"
The big thing is that the distance from the vent to the anal fin is much greater like a hands width apart on a hatchet marlin roundscale deal, where it's more like two fingers in front on a true white.
They also say that you can tell by running your hand along the scales, and that roundscale's are smooth both ways, but I tried to do that and was 50-50 at best on making the call.
If you search out John Graves on the forum you'll find a much more in depth and intelligent explanation, I just saw the two side by side and thought it was noteworthy. I could barley fake my way through high school biology...
(bottom and right in the photos is the Roundscale Spearfish/ Hatchet Marlin)
Last edited by livetofishnj; 08-14-2008 at 08:49 AM.
Always swimming against the tide
Very cool Bryan, thank you. I wonder if the two taste any different?
Pino and I will commence a scientific study to answer this burning question!
SeaBiscuit
Last year we held 1st in the MA 500 for a couple of days with a skinny 70" super model / anorexic hatchet. The fish was clearly different from a true White. However, I believe the experts are still arguing over the 82 lb fish we had in the Beach Haven White Marlin Invitational. So it is not as easy to discern the differences as one might think.
I actually took the photos I had of the one you guys got in beach haven down there and showed them to the biologists and they were pretty sure that it was a regular white. I'm sending them copies so they can check further but the distance at best was 3" on that fish and after seeing the points where they measure from I'd say they would have called it 2" if it was their call.
Always swimming against the tide
this is Fritz's 82-pound white from Beach Haven. There is something about the distance from the edge of the gill plate to the throat latch, but when I asked down in Ocean City they said it wasn't really accurate.
Either way we documented it really well so wiser people can make the tough decisions...
Always swimming against the tide
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